On the evening of Tuesday November 18th, the WIP supporter community in Washington DC gathered on the rooftop of LiUNA for the annual Autumn Reception. 

Recent WIP Class of 2025 graduate, Sarah Doyle, welcomed guests and spoke of the transformative impact of the WIP Emerging Leaders Program on her and her fellow classmates. Sarah said, “We were - by design - a class full of diverse perspectives and opinions, but also one that never shied away from learning from each other.  We come from all four corners of the island of Ireland, a myriad of different people, and are all taking different paths in life.  However, I know one thing we all have in common is our gratitude for your investment in us, and our shared sense of responsibility to use this experience to create a better future for the places we call home.” Sarah spoke with particular gratitude about her experience working at LiUNA during the summer, and all the ways in which they support WIP.  Sarah also welcomed special guests including Rep Tim Kennedy, Rep Val Hoyle and Rep Mary Gay Scanlon.

WIP Board Vice Chair Patrick McGlone noted that WIP was proud to celebrate its 30th anniversary last year and spoke of the transatlantic ecosystem of support that makes WIP’s work of leadership development and peacebuilding possible. Patrick also expressed appreciation to the Irish Government and the Northern Irish Executive for their foundational support. He said, “This north-south commitment to the Washington Ireland Program from both Governments on the island embodies the values of cooperation and respect that imbue our leadership programs”

Irish Ambassador to the US, HE Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason presented the ‘Spirit of WIP’ award to Paddy Meskell. In her award presentation remarks, Ambassador Byrne Nason said, “Quite simply, Paddy is the prime example of someone who lifts others up.” The Ambassador spoke of how Paddy has quietly and purposefully strengthened the ties of the Irish American community in Washington. Along with celebrating Paddy’s achievements in the corporate world, the Ambassador spoke with warmth of Paddy’s work strengthening the organizational capacity of both Solas Nua and the Washington Ireland Program. The Ambassador closed her remarks by saying that the award was a testament to Paddy’s wisdom, passion and genuine sense of optimism and hope that he brings to everything that he does.

In his acceptance remarks, Paddy Meskell referred to the Irish phrase, ‘Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí’ which loosely translates as ‘praise the youth, encourage the youth and they will always respond’. He said that this captures some of the hope of the work of the Washington Ireland Program. Paddy spoke about how WIP embraces young leaders and challenges them with the possibility not just to be sources of hope, but to be agents of change. Paddy noted that the WIP Alumni community is responding to this possibility, and that the work of WIP was as relevant today as when it was founded in 1994.

Paddy continued by sharing a short reflection on three virtues that stand out to him for those who wish to be effective leaders and agents of change – courage, curiosity and kindness. He said that the Washington Ireland Program encourages young leaders to take risks and show courage, to leave their certainties at the door, and to enter a place of possibility and change. He added that in embodying kindness, WIP seeks out those at the margins and brings them to the center, ensuring that their voices are valued and heard.

Paddy concluded his remarks by saying that there has been huge progress in Ireland in recent decades, and that there were many individuals and organizations who deserve to be very proud. He also noted that there was much left to be done and that the Washington Ireland Program would remain at the forefront of responding to the challenges that lie ahead by ensuring that there are leaders who are ready to meet them.

WIP Executive Director Nicola Skelly closed the speaking program with her own appreciation for Paddy Meskell, and a short reflection on two members of the WIP host family community who passed away recently. She spoke about how they had enriched the WIP community with their generosity, good humor and kindness. Nicola continued by sharing the news that WIP will soon be launching a new three-year Alumni Engagement Strategy that will connect, celebrate and create meaningful pathways for Alums to contribute to WIP’s mission.